Invalid equipment



Jan 311, NEH J. G. HAUSMAN INVALID EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 15, 1945- v 1 will! IN V EN TOR.

Patented Jan. 31, 1950 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in invalid or convalescent equipment, and is applic hie particularly to various forms of wheeled chairs, carriages, combination bed-chairs and the like.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application relating to similar equipment, and identified as Serial No. 538,246 filed June 1, 1944, now U. S. Patent No. 2,427,782.

An object of the invention is to provide a wheeled carriage of the character referred to, with means whereby an incapacitated patient may propel the carriage although he may be too weak to walk, or may have lost the use of arms or legs.

Another object is to provide improved propulsion means for a carriage of the type stated, designed to aid a patient in learning to walk, without subjecting his limbs to excessive strain. The device serves also as an exerciser, and may be used by the patient without requiring the services of a nurse or attendant.

Another object is to provide in a device of the character referred to, means whereby a patient, though in a weakened condition, may travel from place to place without fatiguing effort, even though he may have the use of but one arm or one leg, or be otherwise handicapped with respect to arms and limbs.

Various other objects and advantages are attained by the means disclosed herein, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fi l is a perspective view of the improved device, showing the leg and foot rests thereof, and the back rest, in a partially inclined position.

2 is a vertical cross-section taken through the propulsion drums at the foot end of the vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view showing an adjustable bracket for supporting the drum axle.

The primary purpose of this equipment is to make it possible for the patient to help himself to the greatest possible extent, while at the same time contributing to the recovery of his health or faculties. A patient who has long been bedfast, or afflicted with leg injuries, will ordinarily find it necessary to learn to walk, and iii many cases his lower limbs will require exercise to be undertaken gradually, and without undue strain. The carriage of the present invention furnishes a highly satisfactory means of exercising the limbs for recovery of the walking function, without forcing the weakened limbs to support the full weight of the patients body at any time, and

any fatigue resulting from the walking exercise can immediately be relieved without causing the patient to collapse or fall. Moreover, the leg exercising motions are utilized as a means of propulsion for the carriage, and the patient thereby is enabled to travel from place to place although his limbs may be so weak or useless as to preclude supporting his body weight.

The carriage of the invention possesses the added advantage of providing for propulsion by foot power, augmented if necessary by hand power, to overcome weakness in the feet or legs Whether temporary or permanent. The foot propulsion means herein disclosed is so arranged as to be operated either by means of both feet, or by only one foot, depending upon the condition of the patient. Provision is made also for steering the carriage, either by the use of one or both feet, or by hand, as the limitations of the patients faculties may require. The arrangement is such that the carriage may be not only propelled, but steered also, as long as the patient possesses the use of at least one foot. A patient without the use of his feet or legs, may propel and steer the carriage by hand. Thus, the device of the invention accommodates practically any type of afiliction involving the loss or impairment of arms and/or legs, and enables the patient to travel about without the services of an attendant.

The carriage herein disclosed by way of example, is one which may be collapsed for shipment or storage, and when extended may be used either as a bed or as a litter. Means are provided therein for elevating and lowering the seat portion of the device, and for inclining the back rest and the leg rests wholly by the efforts of the patient, so that he might without the assistance of a nurse or attendant, transfer himself from the carriage to a hospital bed or the like, and vice versa. These features of the device are not emphasized in the present applica tion, for the reason that the present invention relates particularly to the propulsion mechanism of the device.

In the accompanying drawing, 6 indicates the seat and I the adjustable back rest of the carriage. At opposite sides of the seat and back rest, the carriage is provided with arm rests 8 which, if desired, may be formed integrally with the side members 9 which form the chassis. The seat may be furnished with an opening to which is normally applied a cover Ill, said opening providing for the convenience of the patient in using a fiush bowl or chamber vessel, as explained in my application Serial No. 525,991, now abandoned. The leg rests 12 are pivoted at their upper ends to the forward edge of the seat portion, so that they may be swung from a vertically depending position to a position of substantial parallelism with the seat portion. At the lower ends of the leg rests, suitable foot rests l3 may be applied, the foot rests being pivoted at M to permit disposition thereof to a substantially parallel relationship with the leg rests. The foot rests l3 may fold upon the leg rests, or if desired they may be swung forwardly so as to extend the length of the leg rests.

The character i5 indicates a frame having swivel casters I 5 at its lower end and pivot means I! at its upper end whereby the frame may swing to a substantially vertical position with its casters resting upon the floor, when the back rest l is lowered to the horizontal position. A pair of braces i8, one at each side of frame :5, may be pivoted to the latter at 9, so that when the back rest is disposed horizontally, the braces will impart substantial rigidity thereto. As will be understood, the lower end of the back rest is pivoted for movement relative to the seat portion.

The character 26 indicates one of a pair of horizontally reciprocable rods or handles to be grasped by the patient and moved slidably through a bracket 2! on the side member Q, for actuating an hydraulic pump and associated mechanism (not shown), whereby the seat portion 6 may be elevated to bed height, and lowered to chair height, solely by the effect of the patient himself. It is to be understood that an actuator similar to that indicated at is applied the opposite side of the carriage, for use by the patient in the event that his right arm is useless 01' impaired making it impossible for him to manipulate the actuator shown at the right side of the carriage.

The foregoing describes generally the nature of the device, apart from the subject matter of the present invention, which relates to propulsion means for a device of the character disclosed. A description will now be given concerning the improved propulsion means.

[it the rear end of the carriage, and preferably to the chassis thereof, is applied a pair of brackets 22 each adapted to support the upright shaft 23 of a swivel caster. The curved fork of the caster is illustrated at 24, and the wheel thereof at In the preferred form of the invention, a swivel caster of the character referred to is applied at each side of the carriage or chassis thereof, near its rear portion. It is to be understood, however, that in some instances a single swivel caster may support the rear of the chassis, in which case the mounting bracket therefor would be located midway betw en the side members 9. Since in the preferred form of the device the previously mentioned toilet facilities are provided, it is desirable that a pair of swivel casters be employed, rather than a single swivel caster- At a location beneath the seat portion 5, so as to carry most of the weight of the patient when sitting upright upon the carriage, the chassis has mounted thereon a pair of large wheels and 2?.

These wheels are independently rotatable upon a transverse shaft 28, so that one wheel may be rotated relatively to the other for steering purposes. Each of the large wheels may be furnished with a hand rim 29 of smaller diameter than the wheel, the rim being spaced outwardly from the wheel tire so that it readily may be grasped by the hands of the patient for propelling the carriage and steering it while in motion. The rim 29 in each instance may be supported upon extending brackets 30 applied to the fellce of the wheel, or to the spokes thereof, as may he desired. The hub of the wheel is indicated at 3 i. In crd to effect independent rotation of the large wheels 26 and 21, the shaft 28 may be made in two part: of equal length, joined at their inner on s by means of a coupling 32 including earings for the shaft ends. The hubs of the wheels are then keyed or otherwise made fixed to the outer ends of the bipart shaft, so that each half shaft wi l rotate with a wheel 26 or 27. The shaft Sections at opposite sides of the coupling hearing are indicated by the characters 33 and 34.

To each shaft section 33 and 3 3 is applied a power transmission element, preferably in the form of a sprocket 35, these sprockets being keyed or otherwise fixed, one to each shaft section, at a location close to the inner faces of the carriage side members 9. Thus, each large wheel 26 and 2'! will have associated therewith a sprocket such as 35 which will at all times rotate with its associated large wheel. Over each sprocket is trained an endless chain 35 which extends forwardly of the chassis so as to engage a forward sprocket such as 3? or 38 associated with propulsion drums 39 and 40.

The purpose of the drums 39 to provide means whereby the patient, by foot power, may drive either or both of the large Wheels 2'5 and 27 to place the carriage in motion, either in a forward or backward direction as desired. It should be noted that there is afforded a very limited space ii between the independently rotatable drums 39 and All, the object of this arrangement being to enable the patient to rotate both drums with the use of one foot only, in the event that the other foot of the patient is impaired, or perhaps amputated. The same foot that is used for rotating the drums in unison, may be shifted from one drum to the other for applying the necessary power to rotate either of the large wheels 25 or 27 for steering purposes, it being thereby unnecessary for the patient to grasp the rims 29 for steering the carriage by hand.

As was previously explained, the arrangement includes two endless chains such. as 3?, one at each side of the carriage. One chain is applied to the fixed sprocket of wheel 27, and the other is applied to the similar sprocket of wheel 26. In the region of the drums 39 and as, one chain engages the sprocket 3? of drum 39, and the other engages the sprocket 38 of drum (iii. The sprockets 3! and 38 may be fixed to the ends of their respective drums, or any other arrangement may be employed for effecting a connection whereby sprocket 31 will rotate with drum 39, whereas sprocket 38 will rotate with drum Alii. In the example illustrated, the drums'and sprockets are rotationally supported upon a dead shaft ii" which spans the side members 9--9 of the carriage. For this purpose, the drums may be furnished with bearing hubs 43 and M near their outer and inner ends. The bearing hubs rotate upon the shaft '22, as do also the hubs of sprockets 37 and 38. The hubs of these sprockets may be welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the ends of their respective drums.

From the foregoing, it should readily be understood that drums 39 and 40 are independently rotatable, and that each has driving relationship with one of the large Wheels 26 or 21. The foot contact surface of the drums may be corrugated or otherwise provided with friction means in the form of ribs or the like as indicated, to preclude slippage when the foot of the patient is applied forrotating the drums. It is to be understood that drums 39 and 40 are slightly elevated above the floor, so that at no time are they in contact with the floor or other supporting surface over which the carriage rolls.

In order to preclude motion of the carriage in the event that a patient stands upon the drums, or upon the foot rests 13, in mounting or dismounting from the carriage, there is provided at the forward end of each side member 9 a depending stop member 45, the lower end 46 of which is disposed at a slightly lower elevation than the undersurface of drums 39 and 4H3. The stop members, of which there are two, one disposed at each side of the carriage, may be of any desired form. As herein illustrated by way of example, the stop member comprises a substantially U shaped element, formed of a bent rod having eyes ll at its free upper ends adapted to receive fasteners 48 which pass through the side members 9.

In order to compensate for wear of the chains and sprockets, the shaft of the drums may be supported for adjustment lengthwise of the vehicle. This may be accomplished by means of the assembly illustrated by Fig. 3, wherein shaft 42 is shown fixed at its end, to an inner ear or lug Q9 of a shaft hanger 50, the hanger including a second ear 5! adapted for attachment to a side member 9 by means of bolts, screws or other fasteners 52. To provide for the required adjustment of the hanger, ear 5! may be furnished with a pair of horizontal elongated slots 53 to receive the fasteners 52 in such manner that the hanger, after loosening the fasteners, may be slid horizontally lengthwise of the vehicle for adjusting the chains to the required tension. The adjustment is maintained by merely tightening the fasteners 52.

It is to be understood that the means for transmitting motion between the drums and the large wheels of the vehicle might be in the form of belts and pulleys, shafts and gears, or any other well known equivalent expedient. The drums may be mounted otherwise than as herein illustrated, the only requirement being that they shall rotate freely and independently of one another. These and various modifications and changes in structural details may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In conclusion, it may be noted that the foot rests it, in the normal operating condition of the carriage, are lowered to a position rearwardly of the drums, and at a slightly lower elevation than the uppermost contact surface of the drums. In said operative condition, the legrests 12 are substantially vertical, and the foot rests are approximately horizontal. The spacing between the side members 99 is such as to accommodate the foot rests and the leg rests when lowered to expose the drums for manipulation during use of the carriage. As will be understood, the foot rests and the leg rests remain in any position to which they may be adjusted, and each may be adjusted independently of the other.

What is claimed is:

1. In a convalescent carriage of the class de scribed, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, a back rest above one end of the seat portion, and propulsion means disposed forwardly of the opposite end of the seat portion, said propulsion means comprising a pair of drums and a shaft supporting said drums in position to be contacted by the feet of a patient, means sup- Lil 6. porting the drums upon the chassis for rotation independently of one another, independently rotatable ground-engaging hand wheels and swivel casters supporting the chassis for movement along a floor surface, separate shaft means supporting said ground-engaging hand wheels and a driving connection between each drum and one of the hand wheels, enabling the patient to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, said drums being spaced apart axially a limited distance such that both drums may be contacted and rotated by one foot only.

2. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, a back rest above one end of the seat portion, and foot actuated propulsion means beneath the level of the opposite end of the seat portion, comprising a pair of drums and a shaft supporting said drums in position to be contacted by the feet of a patient, means supporting the drums upon the chassis for rotation independently of one another, independently rotatable ground-engaging hand wheels and swivel casters supporting the chassis for movement along a floor surface, separate shaft means supporting said hand wheels for rotation and a driving connection between each drum and one of the ground engaging hand wheels, enabling the patient to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, said drums being spaced apart axially a limited distance such that both drums may be contacted and rotated by one foot only, and hand operated means for rotating said drums.

3. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, a back rest above one end of the seat portion, and propulsion means disposed forwardly of the opposite end of the seat portion, said propulsion means comprising a pair of drums and shaft means supporting said drums in position to be contacted by the feet of a patient, means supporting the drums upon the chassis for rotation independently of one another, independently rotatable floor-engaging hand wheels and swivel casters supporting the chassis for movement along a floor surface, the axis of rotation of said hand wheels being above the drum shaft and a driving connection between each drum and one of the floor-engaging hand wheels, enabling the patient to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, said drums being spaced apart axially a limited distance such that both drums may be contacted and rotated by one foot only, and elevated above a floor surface over which the carriage travels, and means depending beneath the drums to contact such surface while maintaining the drums out of contact therewith upon forward tilting of the carriage.

4. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, a back rest above one end of the seat portion, and propulsion means disposed forwardly of the opposite end of the seat portion, said propulsion means comprising a pair of drums and shaft means supporting said drums in position to be contacted by the feet of a patient, means supporting the drums upon the chassis for rotation independently of one another, independently rotatable ground-engaging hand Wheels and swivel casters supporting the chassis for movement along a floor surface, the axis of rotation of said hand wheels being above the drum shaft means and a driving connection between each drum and one of the ground-engaging hand wheels, enabling the patient to propel the car riage by foot power applied to the drums, said drums being spaced apart axially, and a foot rest on the carriage movable from a normally lowered position between the seat portion and the drums at which the drums are accessible, to an elevated position above the level of the drums renderin the drums inaccessible for propulsion purposes.

5. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, a back rest above one end of the seat portion, and propulsion means disposed forwardly of the opposite end of the seat portion, said propulsion means comprising a pair of drums in position to be contacted by the feet of a patient, means supporting the drums upon the chassis for rotation independently of one another, independently rotatable ground-engaging hand wheels and swivel casters supporting the chassis for movement along a floor surface, and a driving connection between each drum and one of the ground-engaging hand wheels, enabling the patient to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, said drums being spaced apart on a common axis slightly above floor level, and at a lower elevation than the axis of rotation of said ground-engaging hand Wheels.

6. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, swivel caster means supporting the chassis near one end of the seat portion, a pair of independently rotatable large ground-engaging hand Wheels on the chassis near the opposite end of the seat portion, said large wheels having rims approximating in height the height of the seat portion whereby an occupant located upon the seat portion may reach downwardly and grasp the rims at opposite sides of the carriage for hand propulsion thereof along a surface, foot propulsion means on the chassis comprising a pair of drums independently rotatable at the forward end of the chassis in advance of the seat portion, with the axis of rotation of the drums at a lower elevation than that of the hand wheels and upon which the occupant may rest his feet while in a sitting position upon the seat portion, and a driving connection between each drum and one of the ground engaging hand wheels enabling the occupant to propel the car riage by foot power applied to the drums.

Z. In a. convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, swivel caster means supporting the chassis near one end of the seat portion, a pair of independently rotatable large ground-engaging hand wheels on the chassis near the opposite end of the seat portion, said large wheels havin rims approximating in height the height of the seat portion whereby an occupant located upon the seat portion may reach downwardly and grasp the rims at opposite sides of the carriage for hand propulsion thereof along a surface, foot propulsion means on the chassis comprising a pair of drums independently rotatable on an axis remote from that of the hand wheels, and at the forward end of the chassis in advance of the seat portion, and upon which the occupant may rest his feet while in a sitting position upon the seat portion, a driving connection between each drum and one of the ground engaging hand wheels enabling the occupant to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, and a foot rest on the carriage movable from a normally lowered position between the seat portion and the drums rendering the drums accessible, to an elevated position above the drums rendering the drums inaccessible for use.

8. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, swivel caster means supporting the chassis near one end of the seat portion, a pair of independently rotatable large ground-engaging hand wheels on the chassis near the opposite end of the seat portion, said large wheels having rims approximating in height the height of the seat portion whereby an occupant located upon the seat portion may reach downwardly and grasp the rims at opposite sides of the carriage for hand propulsion thereof along a surface, foot propulsion means on the chassis comprising a pair of drums independently rotatable, shaft means supporting the drums at the forward end of the Chassis in advance of the seat portion, and upon which drums the occupant may rest his feet while in a sitting position upon the seat portion, and a driving connection between each drum and one oi the ground engaging hand wheels enabling the occupant to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, said drums being spaced apart axially a limited distance such that the drums may be contacted and rotated simultaneously b one foot only.

9. In a convalescent carriage of the class described, the combination of a chassis having an elevated seat portion, swivel caster means supporting the chassis near one end of the seat portion, a pair of independently rotatable large ground-engaging hand Wheels on the chassis near the opposite end of the seat portion, said large wheels having rims approximating in height the height of the seat portion whereby an occupant located upon the seat portion may reach downwardly and grasp the rims at opposite sides of the carriage for hand propulsion thereof along a surface, foot propulsion means on the chassis comprising a pair of drums independently rotatable, shaft means supporting the drums at the forward end of the chassis in advance of the seat portion, and upon which the occupant may rest his feet while in a sitting position upon the seat portion, a driving connection between each drum and one of the ground engaging hand wheels enabling the occupant to propel the carriage by foot power applied to the drums, and a foot rest on the carriage movable from a, normally lowered position between the seat portion and the drums at which the drums are accessible, to an elevated position above the drums rendering the drums inaccessible for use, said drums being spaced apart axially a, iimited distance such that the drums may be contacted and rotated simultaneously by one foot only.

JOSEPH G. HAUSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Mar. 20, 1926 

